Ray Goodlass remembers a time when Mardi Gras was very different.
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In 1978, as a young gay man, he marched in Sydney's first Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras parade.
On June 24 that year, Mr Goodlass was one of more than 500 activists who gathered in Darlinghurst to protest discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
"I was very keen to agitate for change," Mr Goodlass said.
"I knew this parade was coming up, so with great trepidation I went along to the meeting point in Oxford Street. Some people were in fancy dresses but most were just in normal winter streetwear."
Their peaceful protest ended in a violent mass arrest, which Mr Goodlass narrowly avoided.
Homosexuality was not decriminalised in NSW until 1984, but those original protesters - or 78ers as they are known - soon became revered members of the LGBTIQ community.
Mr Goodlass's life since then has been a rich and varied one, and includes the career as a drama teacher and education consultant that first brought him to Wagga.
He is perhaps best known for his political activism and work with The Greens, which has spanned two decades and seen him run in three state elections.
Last year he marched side-by-side with organiser Holly Conroy in Wagga's first Mardi Gras.
Saturday would have been Mr Goodlass's 43rd Mardi Gras parade if it had not been cancelled due to the coronavirus.
"The decision to cancel, I think, was the right one, but I really do feel for Holly Conroy, because you know Holly, as a trans woman, initiated the Mardi Gras parade, organised the entire thing last year and has repeated it this year with wider community and businesses involvement," Mr Goodlass said.
"It must be a tremendous disappointment for her and I really do feel for her. It's a very sad thing."
Mr Goodlass said while the Wagga community had largely embraced Mardi Gras, the political significance of the event should be remembered.
He pointed to the anti-transgender campaign stickers which were plastered over light poles, benches, and garbage bins throughout Baylis Street.
"The appearance of those anti-trans stickers last week show that we still need to remember that parades like the Wagga Mardi Gras and the Sydney Mardi Gras are activist events to lead to a more just and full life for LGBTI people. So don't forget yes it is a party but it's also an LGBTIQ activist event," Mr Goodlass said.
"There is still a battle to be fought before next year's Mardi Gras parade and we will keep fighting it."
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